Lost in the Ashes of Time

by Karl Wild GG23   Feb 9, 2010


My name is Elliana and I'm a prisoner of Auschwitz,
I'm seven years old and I've now become a number.
Its A163142 and this Nazi camp is my families home.
Everyone I've ever known or loved is here with me.

Its July 13th, 1943 and we've been here for five weeks,
The temperature is scorching yet it snows every day.
Fragments of Jewish flesh plummet upon us relentlessly,
Their ashes turn our pale skin to a dark, charred coal.

I've seen more death than one could possibly fathom,
Wish I saw food and water as much as I've seen murder.
We step over the bodies of our fellow people daily,
While some of us wait to live, we all wait to die.

How can these soldiers harness such violent hatred,
I'm just a child but to them I'm less than nothing.
They've shot thousands dead for pure joy of sport,
Laughing in our faces to show how helpless we are.

Those who haven't been destroyed in gas chambers,
Suffer from starvation and countless brutal diseases.
Slaves who are still alive have become walking skeletons,
I know now that heaven exists, for I've surely been to hell.

The fences are high but they can't cage my dreams,
They soar freely among the wind and chalky ash.
Although they've killed me, my family, my generation,
They could never kill our spirits, pride or our hearts.

I am Elliana, better known as A163142
And I'm Lost in the Ashes of Time.

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Latest Comments

  • 14 years ago

    by lost in lovee

    This poem is amazingg! Would you mind if I gave it to my teacher to read in class? We are reading the book Night which is about the Holocaust and it would go perfect with it. I feel like I'm there while I'm reading this. I'm definately adding you to my favorite authors. 5/5

  • 14 years ago

    by Mr Rhee

    Karl, I don't know where, or who you got the idea for this from, but I have to ask, and I don't mean to sound critical, but I know you want me to be honest. This is more story than poem. VERY well written. Such strong imagery and emotions. Such detail. I ask you, have you seen a ghost? This was a very perfect write. Well done.

  • 14 years ago

    by Chelsey

    For one, I find it really ironic just a few days ago I decided if i ever have a girl I want to name her Elliana lol

    This piece was heartbreaking...I hated in World History class that we had to learn about nazi camps and what not because it was so sad for me to even read and learn. I have a heart for people and knowing what things went on, especially to little innocent children is so heartbreaking...Very good descriptions in this piece! I absolutely loved it!
    Chelsey

  • 14 years ago

    by BitterXSweetness

    That was so sad. I want 2 say that it was beautiful in it's own way but bcuz of the heartwrenchingness (if that's even a word) it was horrible. It was horrible bcuz that really happened, that's some1's real story. I love poetry bcuz the story doesn't always have 2 b urs, but it's some1's. I like this poem cuz it makes u think, all the suffering in this world, we can just dream of purple butterflies and 4 some strange reason, things r a little better. I love the ending when she said that the fences r high but they can't cage in her dreams. <3 It's sadly beautiful bcuz she's fighting in her own way. 5/5

  • 14 years ago

    by ilikepurple222

    Wow. i really loved this! it's so completely different from other poems i've read. this was extremely emotional and deep. i really loved the topic as well. my grandma was in a concentration camp when she was younger because she was an orphan. so this really hit home for me. great job with conveying the message and thought provoking feeling you had. i can't even choose one line that was my favorite because it was all perfectly amazing! great job with this one and keep it up! i love reading your writing! :)

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